A TikTok video by creator Jenndeanmusic went viral after she documented a puzzling encounter at an Applebee’s.
While the man sitting directly next to her was served a standard glass of tap water, the post explained, the bartender handed her a factory-sealed bottle instead.
Confused by the inconsistency, she posted the clip with an overlay asking: “I’m at Applebees and the bartender (a man) just gave me a bottle of water when I asked but he gave the guy next to me a glass of water should I be worried?”
Jenndeanmusic later commented, “1. I did not ask for a bottle of water 2. It was sealed 3. He didn’t charge me for the bottle.” So, what was going on?
JennDean may have been in danger
@jenndeanmusic Am I overthinking or is this weird #applebees #water #suspicious
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Elsewhere in the comment section, current and former hospitality workers explained that this was likely a calculated safety move rather than a mistake.
One comment noted, “I used to be a bouncer and the bar only does things like that if they get a weird vibe from other people at the bar. We cant throw people out for having a weird vibe to them. But we can take easy precautions around them. When staff lack a concrete reason to eject a patron, they will use subtle tools if they get a ‘weird vibe’ from someone’s behavior.”
Another added, “Someone was giving that bartender bad vibes. They’re trying to protect you without risking their job.”
And another said, “He gave you a sealed container he doesn’t trust someone near you but doesn’t have anything solid enough to kick them out for.”
According to comments, a closed container is significantly harder to tamper with or “spike” than an open glass, particularly if a guest needs to leave their seat temporarily.
“Angel shots” and other signs of trouble in service industry settings
LADIES!!! if you're not aware. BE AWARE
— MICHAEL Murdock
An "angel shot" is a discreet code phrase that a person can order at a bar or restaurant to signal to staff that they feel unsafe or uncomfortable and need help. While the specifics vary, ordering an "angel shot" usually prompts the staff…(@docmurdock) October 8, 2025
While these “passive” safety signals aren’t usually found in official corporate handbooks, they are part of a widespread, informal culture of guest protection.
And unlike the “angel shot”—a famous drink code that requires the customer to initiate a request for help by asking for an “angel shot” —the sealed bottle is a bartender-led intervention. It allows the staff to protect a guest without alerting a potential predator or causing a scene.
In addition to providing sealed beverages, hospitality professionals utilize other various passive safety signals to protect patrons without alerting a potential harasser.
These subtle interventions can include “the ghost move,” where a bartender moves a guest’s tab or belongings to a different section of the bar under the guise of making room, or “the staff huddle,” where multiple employees increase their physical presence near a suspicious individual to signal that the area is being watched.
Some bartenders also use the “check-in” tactic—approaching a guest with an unnecessary menu update or a free small snack—to create a natural break in a conversation and gauge if the guest is in distress. Unlike active signals like the “angel shot,” these tactics rely entirely on staff intuition and de-escalation training to prevent incidents before they occur.
Ultimately, the incident is a reminder that service industry professionals often act as the “third eye” in social settings. While the disparity in service felt strange to the creator, the consensus among commenters is that the bartender was likely acting as a proactive steward of her safety, using a simple bottle of water to protect her in an uncertain environment.
